Integrated multifunctional macrostructures for electromagnetic wave absorption and shielding

The proliferation of electronic equipment and wireless communication technology has resulted in great convenience while simultaneously giving rise to the issue of electromagnetic interference (EMI). The deleterious effects of EMI on both unshielded electronics and human health have driven researchers to explore highly efficient electromagnetic (EM) wave absorbing and shielding materials to suppress EM radiation. Most reported powder EM wave absorbing and shielding (EMAS) materials are required to be further mixed with matrices to produce the composite coating layers. The complicated processing procedures restrict the application of these materials. Furthermore, such layers often suffer from poor durability. However, if EMAS materials are functionally and structurally integrated into a macrostructure, these drawbacks may be overcome. More importantly, EMAS materials with macrostructures can be integrated with other functions to satisfy ever-growing application demands in harsh environments. This review article discusses the design principles of advanced EMAS materials in terms of their macrostructures and multifunctions. Representative integrated macrostructures of EMAS materials and devices are introduced in detail. The multifunctionalities of some advanced EMAS materials, such as wearable, hydrophobic, and thermal insulating characteristics, are discussed as well. In the end, the current challenges and future directions for developing multifunctional EMAS materials are discussed.